The Maybank Malaysian Open will return to the superb Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from April 17-20, 2014.

Last year Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat held off a strong field which included former World Number One Luke Donald, 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington to win the title.

The victory earned Aphibarnrat the first prize of US$458,330, a sum which helped him win the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

There was reason for the locals to celebrate too, as amateur Gavin Kyle Green was the highest-finishing Malaysian, taking a share of 22nd place with a six under par total after the weather-affected tournament was reduced to 54 holes.

Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman of title sponsors Maybank, said: “Maybank made a firm commitment to propel Malaysian golf to a higher standards when we first supported the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2006. Our primary aim was to bring the best of international golf competition to Malaysia to enable this and we have consistently done this over the years.

The Maybank Malaysian Open jointly sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours boasts the largest Asian participation of 67 out of the 156 player field and it has been instrumental in accelerating many Asian champions into the world golf ranking positions.

“This, together with our commitment in development programmes at the amateur and junior levels, has helped many local and Asian golfers to thrive.

“Since the first year of the sponsorship, it has been our goal to try to bring the best players we can from The European Tour and Asian Tour to our shores. The 22 Malayasians we got into the field each time will have benefitted tremendously from this competition.”

Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, situated on the outskirts of Malaysia’s thriving capital, first hosted the tournament in 2006 and has been its venue every year since 2009.

Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin added: “KLGCC provided the backdrop to a superb finish last year and we are pleased it will once again be the host. The Maybank Malaysian Open is a world-class tournament and it is only fitting that it is hosted at a premier venue like KLGCC.”

KLGCC’s General Manager, Steven Thielke, said: “It is certainly an honour for the club to be the host for the fifth consecutive year. The Maybank Malaysian Open is a world-class event and we will endeavour to deliver our best for this tournament.”

Keep in touch with the latest news at www.maybankmalaysianopen.com and connect via Facebook at www.facebook.com/maybankmalaysianopen or Twitter at www.twitter.com/maybankmsiaopen